NHL Power Rankings – October 24th Handicappers NHL Picks

WHERE DO TEAMS STAND IN THE NHL?

Looking for our updated NHL Power Rankings? Here’s version #2. We are nearly two weeks into the NHL 2016-2017 Regular Season and what a crazy 10 or so days it has been. The Oilers currently sport the best record in the league, the Canucks have gotten off to a historically good start and the Habs look like the Habs of old with Carey Price back and healthy between the pipes.

Version 2.0 – 2016 NHL Power Rankings

It is early however – the Ranking have changed a ton from a couple of weeks ago. The question is whether or not the surprising teams can keep it up and if a few other Sleepers will make themselves heard from in the next couple of weeks.

So where does your favorite team sit five or six games into the NHL Regular Season? Let’s take a look in Dave B’s bi-weekly NLL Power Rankings.

1. St. Louis Blues

(4-1-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 8

The Blues lost goaltender Brian Elliott and forwards David Backes and Troy Brouwer to free agency this past summer – reason for concern. But Paul Stastny has picked up the slack and the Blues look stellar yet again.

They top the Rankings thanks to a 2-1-1 record on a brutal West Coast Road Trip. With that horrible trip out of the way, expect St. Louis to be a factor most of the way.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

(4-1-0) – Two Weeks Ago: 2

There is no reason to bump the Lightning out of the #2 spot – Steven Stamkos has recorded a point per game so far and Andrei Vasilevskiy is 2-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .954 saves percentage early on.

The Lightning were one of the most balanced teams heading into the season and look every bit of that 10 days in.

3. Montreal Canadiens

(4-0-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 12

The Habs are off to another strong start – they have yet to lose in Regulation. Even Carey Price missing the first 3 games with the flu didn’t derail this team.

Their #1 keeper is back and at full health and Shea Weber has made GM Mark Bergevin look like a genius – he has five points on the year and is a team-best plus 8 so far.

4. Edmonton Oilers

(5-1-0) – Two Weeks Ago: 21

The Oilers are the first of the surprise teams to make it into the dirty dozen this week – who saw a 5-1 start coming? Connor McDavid has been sensational so far – he had eight points in his first five games and Milan Lucic is fitting in like a glove.

The Oilers have something to prove in their new arena and are getting it done so far.

5. Washington Capitals

(3-1-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 5

The Caps hold their spot in the Rankings – Braden Holtby is so far proving that last year wasn’t a fluke and the defense as a whole has been strong again allowing just 10 goals against.

The offense has provided just 13 over that span however – something we all expect to change sooner than later.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

(3-2-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 1

Who knows what is going to happen with Sidney Crosby? He continues to skate but hasn’t suited up for the defending Champs yet. The team has looked just OK as evidenced by their 5-1 road loss Saturday in Nashville.

The Pens have scored 13 goals on the year but have allowed 19 – not great. But the Pens are the Pens and are still worthy of a top 6 spot.

7. Florida Panthers

(3-1-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 7

The Panthers aren’t sneaking up on anybody anymore but thanks to a couple of vets, they are still a force. Roberto Luongo is 3-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA so far and 44 year old Jaromir Jagr continues to get it done.

The Panthers have yet to play a road game however – we’ll see where they sit in a couple of weeks time.

8. Vancouver Canucks

(4-1-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 30

Yup – the Canucks headed into the season as my #30 team and find themselves in the top 10! Their only Regular Season loss on the season was against Anaheim – a game that they could have won.

Goaltending has been a strength – Jake Markstrom has a .923 save percentage so far while Ryan Miller has been strong as well. The youngsters on the Canucks are making a huge contribution for a team that is shocking EVERYONE so far.

9. Detroit Red Wings

(4-2-0) – Two Weeks Ago: 18

The Wings are another team that has surprised so far this season – everyone is playing well.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard allowed one goal in his first two starts and castoff Thomas Vanek has seven points in Detroit’s six games so far. I’m not sure they keep it up but for now the Wings are a top 10 team.

10. San Jose Sharks

(3-3-0) – Two Weeks Ago: 4

It may look like I am giving the Sharks the benefit of the doubt here – it is because I am. They haven’t been great so far but keep in mind that they played five of their first six games on the road.

Martin Jones has been awful so far – an .891 save percentage – I expect that to change and for the well-rounded Sharks to enter the top 10 before too long.

11. Minnesota Wild

(3-2-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 16

The Wild have been one of the best offenses in the game early on – 19 goals. The problem? They have allowed 19 goals over that span. Devan Dubnyk hasn’t been great which is a concern as is the fact that they are 3-0 at home and winless on the road so far.

12. New York Rangers

(4-2-0) – Two Weeks Ago: 13

The Rangers are the second best scoring team in the NHL so far – 22 goals on the season but they have given up 16 over that span.

Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad and Jimmy Vesey have been very good for the team so far – the defense was a huge question mark entering the season and still is however.

About Dave B.

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer & sports handicapper for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.

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